Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-12-30

company duAlkecU to-ocy lnes "AiiO
there was no truth in the rumor of 8
strike on their system, the men have re-
ouested 81 advance In wages. The re-
oeest came in the nature OF . petition and
not as demand. He could not say
whether 1t would be granted or not, but
he felt confident there would beno strike.
conference bes been arranged between
the railroad officials and their employees,
when settlement Will probably be eff
fected.
ANOTHER CONFERENCE.
PHILADELPHIA. PA Dec. 29.-Offcers
of the Rsaoing Railroad and committee
from the executive committee OF striking
employees who belong to The Knights Of
Labor came together again this morning
and parted after short bat stormy inter-
view. Chairman John L. Lee and Henry
/. Bennett, members OF the executive
committee of the Knights, called at
the Fourth street Office of the COM
psnY before 10 O'Clock. Scattered
shout the hall and downstairs at the
entrance were other members of the same
committee, but none save the two men
named made any effort to see the super
iutendent. AS soon as they arrived Mr..
Lee sent in slip bearing his name end
that of Bennett. The only response he
received was the words from the mes
seHger that the superintendent would
see him after while. He
waited patiently, and in the meantime
informed reporter that the committee
had called in response to request Of the
superintendent. "Understano," he said,
1--WE did not seek this interview, though
the companY's officers will doubtless tell
you that we did, just as they ssid they
never agreed to arbitration, when, in fact,
they Gid.n
An hour passed, and Lee and Bennett
became restless, and again was messen-
ger dispatched to the superintendent's
off ;e with slip of paper bearing the
names OF the Knights of LABOR. Again
came the answer to wait outside.
Hail an hour lister the superintendent
leit the general managers office and
crossing to where Lee was, said: 81
will see you now, Lee"
The chairman was on his feet in min
ute, his hat in his hand. "But Mr.. Ben
nett is with me-" he said.
az ,can't help that" replied the super
intepdent, 'smy business is with you and
/ sm ready to talk to no one else"
"Mr. Bennett is 3 member Of the exc
cutive committee" said Lee, Sand If you
see me you must see him also"
"Rut / will not" wss the brusque
response of the superintendent. Then
Lee end Bennett drew aside and held
short consultation. 1t lasted but a
moment, and when it was over Lee
turned TO the superintendent and said:
1--WE have agreed, siI, that as long IS you
sent Cor US, we will not allow this con-
ference to take the nature OF personal
interview. Mr.. Bennett must be present,
Sot only as member OF the committee
but as a witness"
az have said," replied Mr.. SWeigard,
that will talk with only you. If you
choose to agree to that, come into my
oflices7 and then he entered his room and
closed the door.
Again did Lee and Bennett consult, and
II was decided to make one more attempt
to get the superintendent to recognize
both men, s'iust to see" explained the
chairman, "wnether or not the compeny's
plan is to ignore the Knights OF Labor
entirely" Thereupon he entered the
Office and paused on the threshold leav-
ing the door partly open.
"Do you refuse" he said to the Super
intendeat, ITO recognize this committee
what reason do you refuse?"
81 will recognize nc committee" was
the reply plainly heard by those outside
al will talk with you IL you wish, but |
will recognize no committee from any
organic stion."
"Then," Lees answer was, ''if you will
not recogniE9 the committee represent,
you canno5 recognize me. Good day,
sir" With that he left the Office and,
Joining Bennett, left the building.
AN YYPLICIT STATEMENT.
NEW YORK, Dee. go Austin CorbiD,
president of the Reading Railroad Com
paDy, defined the position Of the company
towards its employees II letter sent at
noon to-day TO A. A. Mcleod, general
msnsger, with Instructions to communi-
cate IL to the men. It reads as follows:
"To such Of our old employees who have
stood faithfully by Us, We feel obliged
Snd thankful and shall not forget
them; bat the time has now arrived
when all our employees will be required
to choose which ever they expect TO re-
tain, their places by reason Of honest and
= !sithful service and prompt obedience to
the orders of the company that employs
and paws them, or blind obedience to the
direction of the Knights OF Labor, through
which organization the leaders hope to
eoerce US into the employment of men,
who consider their first obedience due
tfst order. Toe men that stand by US
will have employment with reasonable
hoars and good pay. As much as is paid
by any other corporation Of similar
character. Men VINO do not will never
be allowed on the road again uRder any
circumstances. We have never objected
to labor organic cations and do not now.
Every man shall be free 20 belong to one
or not IS he pleases, but the heads
Of such orders cannot or shall not dictate
to this company IS to whom it shall en-
ploy or how to operate its property.
Places that are left IN obedience to the
orders of the Knights of Labor will be
filed with new men and
such new men viii be re-
nined snd under no circumstances
will they be discharged to make room for
men who have left their places. Here
sitter we will operate this property with
employees VINO consider their first duty is
to the company and expect TO obey
Reasonable orders made IN the
Transaction OF It's business. There has
aeyer been moment when, under any
circumstances We wonld arbltrste any